Do you know the hardest thing for independently published authors to accomplish?

GETTING THEIR BOOKS ON SHELVES IN ACTUAL BRICK AND MORTAR BOOK STORES!

I still have folks call or email me asking why they can't find my books on the shelves at their local Barnes & Noble or Books-a-Million. It is next to impossible to get self-published books on actual shelves at the big book retailers. Online? Sure. Order it and it can be delivered. I still have friends back in my hometown who have not purchased my books (despite saying they can't wait to read it) because... it's not at the local bookstore for them to purchase there. They say they'll wait until it is. (Yes, some have not found the ease of online book shopping or they have other objections to online book shopping.)

Go into the store? You are only going to find traditionally published authors' books. And sometimes not even them, unless they are represented by the major industry publishing companies. My first book was traditionally published by a smaller publisher and never made it to physical bookstores.

Now, if you're like me, you enjoy browsing through actual brick and mortar book stores. Walk through the aisles, pick up the books, read the back covers, maybe read a few pages before setting it down on a cozy coffee table where you've piled up a few more books you're interested in.

It's the dream of every author to walk into a bookstore, browse the shelves, and find... THEIR BOOK!

Sadly, it's easier to ring blood from a stone than to get independently published books on the shelves in physical bookstores.

NOW, there's a ray of light in the world of independent authors and readers who want to purchase from a honest-to-goodness brick and mortar bookstore...

SHELF LOVE - The Romance Atlanta Bookshop

https://shelfloveatlanta.com/

Shelf Love opens May 10, 2025 in Austell, GA

(all the info can be found in the above link)

The lovely owner, Leah Tayor (USA Today bestselling author, founder of the Romance Atlanta Writers and Readers signing event) says,

"At Shelf Love, we're all about supporting the incredible Indie Authors who pour their hearts into every page. ❤️ We’re thrilled to offer signed books from those hard-to-find gems you won’t catch on the shelves of other bookstores. 😉"

The store will offer a cozy space for browsing, reading, and finding your next book boyfriend; a community hub hosting book clubs, writing workshops, author signings, and more; and a celebration of love featuring romance in all its glorious forms.

You can order independently published romance books from the online store as well as stopping in and browsing the shelves for your new favorite romance author.

So readers in and around Atlanta, get out to Shelf Love (opening May 10th) and enjoy! If you happen to discover my books on the shelves (SIGNED btw), please let me know!

Independently published romance authors, check out the link above to see how you too can get your book babies on the shelves in a physical bookstore!

Happy browsing and happy reading!